The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-12-28
The Waterman for 1858.

The VERMONT WATClMAN is now
in the eighty-second year of its ex-
istence. The long period since its first
publication has been big with the his
tory of progress, and this journal has
continued faithfully to keep its large
list of readers fully informed upon the
events of the day. Without offering
in advance any special new features
for the coming year, we can promise
that the WATCHMAN will continue to
be the leading republican and family
weekly in this part of the state in
everything that makes the reliable,
accurate, full and readable local jour
nal. The country newspaper, with its
prescribed quarters, has its peculiar
sphere which the metropolitan press,
with broader field, can not invade.
If it wishes to be well supported it
must of necessity be of an intensely
local nature, for that is its chief value.
of an old-established paper like the
WATCHNGAN, published at the capital
of the state, and which has gained a
circulation and prestige outside of its
local field. Therefore the WATCHMAN
devotes considerable space to the dis
cussion of public questions of general
and current interest.
The coming year promises to be a
memorable one in the history of Ameri-
can politics. The campaign will be as
warmly contested as that of 1884
Among the live issues will be the re-
tenton or abandonment of the prin-
ciple of protection to American indus
tries. In the decision of this question
the people of Vermont are vitality in
terested. The WATCIT1AN, while be-
lieving that no more revenue should be
collected than is necessary to meet the
wants of the government, as firmly be-
lieves that the revenue should be so
levied and collected as to foster the
productive industries of the country.
1t is needless to say that the WATCH
MAN stands by republican principles
because it regards their success as
essential to the highest national well
fare. 1t will insist upon its right to
freely criticise and antagonize all vio-
latious of the republican creed, even if
attempted by those who profess to be
acting in its name and interests. Upon
moral and economic questions the
WATCHMAN will express its opinions
as candidly and fearlessly as upon
political subjects. 1t favors all desira-
BILE, genuine and practical reforms, but
it can have no fellowship with those
who wear the mask of reform to con-
serve selfish personal or political ends.
1t is also one OF our aims to present
journal which shall not only contain
valuable matter for all classes of read
ers, free from sensationalism and other
have a presentable appearance. A
well-arranged, well-printed paper is a
credit to the town where il is pub
lished and gives the outside world a
favorable impression of the locality.
The WATCHMAN has received many
flattering concentrations on its good
looks as well as on its other good quail
ties. 1t may perhaps be pertinent to
remark here that the "new departure -
of the WATCHMAN in May last, in the
adoption of the system of advance pay
on subscriptions, has proved a success.
We believe that nearly all of our sub
scribers are now of the opinion that
the new plan is the only right and de-
srable one. During the past two
months the WATCHNIAN list has re.
ceived large accession of new sub
scribers, and we feel confident that the
patronage so kindly extended by al
appreciative public, and for which We
desire to express our thanks, will no
only be continued, but as rapidly
increased as the demands of the times
warrant.